Today's Miles: 0
Trip Miles: 0
A long day...a long, loooong day. But a more successful day than I could have predicted. Not only did both Andrew's and my flights go off without a hitch, but so did our hitches! And a hitchless hitchhike is a very refreshing (and contradictory...) thing. We rental-carred our way fron LAX to Ridgecrest, where we picked up a few supplies we'd forgotten, then proceeded to flaunt our elegantly handmade hitchhiking sign through the streets and then onto the highway. Apparently Andrew and I have enough karma built up that we got rides relatively quickly. A kind Australian firefighter went out of his way to drive us to Hwy 395, then an outdoorsy, off-roadin' couple took us all the way the Kennedy Meadows at 9 o'clock at night. All thanks to the generosity of strangers and the "Hikers to Kennedy Meadows" sign that my mom lovingly crafted.Thanks Mom!
Now for the days challenges. Although we made it to the trailhead before dark (barely), we might have to backtrack to the general store tomorrow, which would only be a few miles roundtrip. In our impatience to start hiking, Andrew accidentally grabbed a mismatch stove fuel canister at the outfitting store...a bummer for someone who likes a hot meal every night. If there are no fuel canisters to be had, or if we don't feel like delaying our start in the morning, we'll share my fuel and stove. Flexibility is key out here. We also have 30 insustrial-strength trash bags to unload, since I forgot to bring the single bag that Andrew needs to line his backpack and Home Depot unfairly only sells them in bulk. Maybe someone will magically need to trade a fuel canister for trash bags. They say the trail provides...
Shaggy says:
I was on a plane by 11. We flew right over the Grand Canyon, and I am pretty sure that I could make out where the Hayduke Trail took us back in April. Hopped off a plane at LAX, with a dream and my backpack. Met up with Lauren at the airport. Our flights got in about an hour apart from each other.
The travel to Kennedy Meadows went sweetly. We were somehow given VIP treatment at the Avis car rental place. We didnt have to wait in the line of 20+ folks, and were okn our way in no time. The traffic in LA was a bugger, but it moved, just slowly, all 8 lanes of traffic.
We were in Ridgecrest at 6, and I honestly had my doubts about making it to Kennedy Meadows tonight. We still had a few errands to run and the pct was another hour+ up 3 different roads and one that was super small, leading from the highway, to the middle of nowhere. We started hitching at 7 after dropping the car off. After 30 minutes an Austrailian firefighter picked us up. Super nice guy, drove out of his way to get us out of town to 395.
Next hitch was about 30 minutes as well. This couple named Chris and Paige picked us up. They were headed right past Kennedy Meadows and gave us a ride the whole way to the campground. They were a really nice couple, coming up here for some offroading. Chris works for CBS doing lighting for shows in hollywood and Paige works for a magazine. I am still amazed that they gave us a ride all the way to Kennedy Meadows, if it werent for them, we would have slept along the highway most likely.
Kennedy Meadows really stirs the emotions. In 2006 I was here for 3 nights, along with many others. It was a high snow year and going into the Sierras with an ice axe (that I did not know yet how to use) was scary. But I made it through. Some of my fondest trail memories happened out there that year. I met so many great people. Now here I am again, this time with the girl I love, in a place I love.
Everything today has worked out great. The stars above us are amazing and the smell of sage brush fills the air. We shared a meal and drank a couple beers from Colorado, and both promptly went to bed. Tomorrow we begin 8 days of hiking towards the high country of the Sierras. Yee-Haw!
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| Meet Zero the Ultralight Penguin. He'll be adding commentary along our trip, as he takes in the view from my pack. |
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